"Shadow Wars is Easily the Best 3DS Launch Title"

Ghost Recon: Shadow Wars is a game that was originally supposed to be released on the Nintendo DS but it was eventually delayed and reworked into a launch title for the 3DS. I picked up Shadow Wars with the new 3DS, and I am happy to say that the game is fantastic. The game has so many cool features, and although it doesn't do a whole lot that is new, it is absolutely worth buying.

Gameplay---------------------

Shadow Wars plays was inspired by the Advance Wars series. The game has you play as six ghosts each with their own special weapons and skills which you level up as you go along. The game is turn based, and much like Advance Wars, each of your units have a certain amount of spaces they can move each turn. It differs from Advance Wars in a lot of ways though. Each of your units must be a certain distance away from the target to attack, and terrain will effect line of sight and damage done. You also do not set up bases or pump out new units like in the Advance Wars series. You start out each mission with a certain number of soldiers, and unless you can find others to help you during the mission, you cannot create new units.

Score: 9

Sound-------------------

The sound is very appropriate in the game. The music is fitting, the weapon sound effects are good, and nothing really subtracts from the game. It's nothing special, but it's certainly nothing bad. The main problem is really that the game has no voice acting. I feel like this would really improve the experience a little, but because the game is on a handheld, I really can't fault it too much for this.

Score: 7

Replay Value---------------------

The game supports several different modes which really increases the amount of replayability in the game. You have your standard story missions, but you also have skirmish missions that you unlock as you play through the game. These missions give you plenty to do after completing the story, and they all have three different difficulty levels. The level of replayability in Shadow Wars is definitely above average.

Score: 8

Multiplayer:------------------------

Ghost Recon: Shadow Wars does not contain any kind of online multiplayer, but it does allow two people, on one 3DS, to play out several multiplayer challenges. These are generally very well done, and it really adds to the game. These missions would certainly be better with download play or online play, but what is there is still very fun.

Score: 7

OVERALL: 8

If you own a 3DS and enjoy turn based strategy games you owe it to yourself to give this game a try. It's worth your money.

Reviewer's Score: 8/10 | Originally Posted: 03/31/11

Game Release: Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon: Shadow Wars (US, 03/22/11)

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